NewStats: 3,262,159 , 8,176,276 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 04:06 AM 374z6f

I wept watching returnees sing the national anthem, says Air Peace chairman



Allen Onyeama, chairman of Air Peace, says he wept when Nigerians who were returning from South Africa mobbed him and sang the country’s anthem.

Onyeama disclosed this while addressing the media shortly after 187 Nigerians returned from South Africa over xenophobic attacks.

The airline had offered free flights to those who sought to return.

“I put together over N280 million in other to bring these people back, Air Peace decided to bring them free of charge, nobody paid us a dime, we decided to do it free of charge for our country and for our people.”

“When I stepped inside the aircraft to welcome them, they mobbed me and started singing the Nigerian national anthem, there was nobody there singing about separation, they felt proud to be Nigerian, they rose in unison, that drew tears from me.”

Watch video below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQvrZaebGOk

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thecable.ng/video-i-wept-watching-returnees-sing-the-national-anthem-says-air-peace-chairman/amp

I hope he's not beating his chest so early?

Anyway how much is a trip from SA to Nigeria? I feel he exaggerated.

If its free, why bore us with figures or is he expecting something in return? Concessions, future political position, patronage of the airline, compensation

He should state it categorically.

This one just lied ,I don’t own an airline though but I feel the price has been inflated ..

deltateam:


I hope he's not beating his chest so early?

Anyway how much is a trip from SA to Nigeria? I feel he exaggerated.

If its free, why bore us with figures or is he expecting something in return? Concessions, future political position, patronage of the airline, compensation

He should state it categorically.

That's always the problem with u Nigerians, u never appreciate anything, u are always an Ingrate,if he beats his chest he deserves it,does your federal government have a National carrier?if Air peace hadn't volunteered do u know how long it would have taken for these Nigerians to have returned home? The man deserves to be highly commended for this,even the president o f the acclaimed number one country the US has boasted severally on some of his achievements to his country

.

280m haba!.We appreciate kind assistance but diz 280m is a NO NO

Lies !

Nice one from air peace. The above commenters are ingrates!

True number is probably 140m. It’s still a lot sha

Thank u but we no force u sha

Is it the amount they used in fueling the aircraft or the Money he would have made if the engers had paid? Blowing own's trumpet of an attitude is bad....as bad as it might be, i believe this man is still by far better than this deceitful gov't. #edited

And I was even thinking it was the federal government initiative. Shame to anybody ing this government.

lol This is impossible.

South Africa to Lagos is between N120k and N150k. For 200 engers, it would have been N30 Million (N150k x 200) and the Airline would still have made a profit.

What did he spend N280M on?

bros abeg u try wella... if no one gree appreciate u, me personally dey appreciate wetin u do for all these guys, e no easy

fyneguy:
lol This is impossible.

South Africa to Lagos is between N120k and N150k. For 200 engers, it would have been N30 Million (N150k x 200) and the Airline would still have made a profit.

What did he spend N280M on?

Maybe he has also rented and furnished houses for the returnees here in Nigeria.

fyneguy:
lol This is impossible.

South Africa to Lagos is between N120k and N150k. For 200 engers, it would have been N30 Million (N150k x 200) and the Airline would still have made a profit.

What did he spend N280M on?

to and fro empty seat flying in cost 30m too (oppurnity cost )...that 60m percycle they plan 3 trips (6 cycle) 180m plus airport land lending charge etc maybe 20m total 200m

To buy fuel for plane I guess?

The amount could include aviation fuel, landing fees and other incidental expenses mostly paid in foreign currency. He should be commended and not vilified.

F117nighthawk:


That's always the problem with u Nigerians, u never appreciate anything, u are always an Ingrate,if he beats his chest he deserves it,does your federal government have a National carrier?if Air peace hadn't volunteered do u know the long it would have taken for these Nigerians to have returned home? The man deserves to be highly commended for this,even the president o f the acclaimed number one country the US has boasted severally on some of his achievements to his country

The problem with most people is that they are so eager to please the world and get accepted into the bandwagon that they are afraid to speak their minds. It's a good thing that he volunteered to help evacuate our brothers in south Africa, without collecting money (as far as we know). And the beneficiaries were particularly grateful. If he's doing it out of the goodness of his heart and doesn't truly expect payment as he said I the beginning, why gloat about it when the job is not even completed? Except he's expecting some form of remuneration or acknowledgement from the government, in which case it will not be out of place to truly question his absurd claim of transporting less than 200 people from South Africa to Nigeria in just a trip with 280 million naira.

Let's learn to be objective instead of being sentimental all the time. If you buy me a 5000 naira lunch at a regular restaurant and while I'm still eating you're already telling the world that you spent over 20,000 naira to feel me, should I just remain quiet in the spirit of being grateful?

deltateam:


I hope he's not beating his chest so early?

Anyway how much is a trip from SA to Nigeria? I feel he exaggerated.

If its free, why bore us with figures or is he expecting something in return? Concessions, future political position, patronage of the airline, compensation

He should state it categorically.

. Appreciate what GOD has done for your Fellow Humans through that young man..

Stop this Pull Him Down syndrome!

GOD BLESS U Mr. Onyema

Can we be grateful for once in this country Nigeria!

thesicilian:

The problem with most people is that they are so eager to please the world and get accepted into the bandwagon that they are afraid to speak their minds. It's a good thing that he volunteered to help evacuate our brothers in south Africa, without collecting money (as far as we know). And the beneficiaries were particularly grateful. If he's doing it out of the goodness of his heart and doesn't truly expect payment as he said I the beginning, why gloat about it when the job is not even completed? Except he's expecting some form of remuneration or acknowledgement from the government, in which case it will not be out of place to truly question his absurd claim of transporting less than 200 people from South Africa to Nigeria in just a trip with 280 million naira.

Let's learn to be objective instead of being sentimental all the time. If you buy me a 5000 naira lunch at a regular restaurant and while I'm still eating you're already telling the world that you spent over 20,000 naira to feel me, should I just remain quiet in the spirit of being grateful?

If you have nothing to say, then shut it..

To and fro empty flight..
Plane registration for a route it does not fly..
Costly hours at airport for delays..
Hanger for wait period..
Scheduled 3 trips..
Maintenance and running cost for non paying fliers..

A whole govt could not even cater for its citizens in the heat of time, despite killings and murders. yet someone volunteered and here you are criticizing as if you own a plane...

fyneguy:
lol This is impossible.

South Africa to Lagos is between N120k and N150k. For 200 engers, it would have been N30 Million (N150k x 200) and the Airline would still have made a profit.

What did he spend N280M on?

Poor mathematics. Didn't they fly empty to South Africa

fyneguy:
lol This is impossible.

South Africa to Lagos is between N120k and N150k. For 200 engers, it would have been N30 Million (N150k x 200) and the Airline would still have made a profit.

What did he spend N280M on?

Cost of taxiing the jet, food, jet fuel, pilot and crew cost all these you left out in your analysis! Even if this guy used $1 to achieve this, it is so commendable!

The government of the day should be ashamed!

He really tried.... God bless him

Atleast he came in for Nigerians when they needed him most.

To those that are trashing the man... Hope you guys know that Nigerian government were silent on this issue until he made his own intention(s) known..

Let's learn to appreciate kind gestures no matter how small it is or are.

Meanwhile... If you need Pure Original Honey call or whatsapp me on the number attached to my signature below

God bless you Mr onyema

deltateam:


I hope he's not beating his chest so early?

Anyway how much is a trip from SA to Nigeria? I feel he exaggerated.

If its free, why bore us with figures or is he expecting something in return? Concessions, future political position, patronage of the airline, compensation

He should state it categorically.

Nigerians can be ungrateful Sha.smh

Air peace = Air Nigeria.........


The FG should issue him a cheque sharpaly...........

Good bless this man. Men like him with a kind heart are few in this Nation

Good one..

But as a business man, what is at stakes worth close to N500m.

What could that be?